Summary

We always enjoy skiing Vail; it’s a big mountain with a decent vertical, and Blue Sky Basin’s ‘adventure’ skiing is a key attraction. But it is far from being our favourite American mountain. In an American resort you expect the runs to be pretty much crowd-free – and in any resort you expect 20-minute lift queues to be a thing of the past. In these respects, Vail disappoints.
When the budget runs to a swanky billet in Vail Village or the Lionshead area, we’re happy enough with the resort, too; it is a pleasant place to wander around. But we’re not enthusiastic about Vail Village’s pseudo-Tirolean style, and the rest of the huge resort lacks character. In the end, Vail can’t compete with more distinctively American resorts based on old mining towns.

Blogs, features and news

• Historic season for some Vail Resorts
• Ikon and Epic passes: why US skiing is suffering
• 10 great ski areas for intermediate cruising
• The world’s most sustainable ski resorts
• Vail Resorts outlines Covid ski plans